Phillip Phillips is first concert for new HTC Center

2013-04-03T18:37:03Z2013-04-03T20:23:50Z

CONWAY, SC (WMBF) – Top selling singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips is putting on a concert Wednesday night at the new HTC Center at Coastal Carolina University (CCU). Wednesday night's concert will be the very first one help inside the university's new facility.

It's not just fans who are excited; the staff at the Student Affairs office says tonight's concert is a big deal for being the center's first. According to the department's Vice President, it won't be the last.

Dr. Debbie Conner, says there will be more concerts to come. At least one major concert every fall and spring semester. At this time they're working on contracting a new artist for homecoming next fall.

Conner says concerts are a great way to boost school spirit among students and staff. However, up until recently, the campus didn't have a building large enough to host a big production for a large crowd. That all changed when CCU opened the HTC center last August. The facility is 131,000 square feet and can seat 3,000 people. It's the home for CCU basketball and volleyball teams, and the center is also used for convocation ceremonies.

Phillip Phillips was contracted last fall, prior to his recent more recent success with the hit song "Home." Conner says Phillips as the first concert gig at HTC is a big win for the school.

"It's exciting for us. It's exciting for our students, and hopefully generating excitement within the community," Conner says. "Hopefully people are more aware that there's going to be good things coming to the HTC Center and paying closer attention to what we're going to be bringing."

This concert will not be a money-maker for CCU. Conner says the school's goal is to offer an affordable show to students and the community. The university expects to break even.

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